Laxey and the Laxey Wheel, Isle of Man
The Great Laxey Wheel is probably the Isle of Mans most famous attraction. It is huge! 72 feet in diameter, which makes it the biggest working water wheel in the world! We were quite pleased that it was not actually working while we were there. Its a long, narrow climb to the top, made especially wobbly if you are carrying cameras and tripods. We were quite pleased that everything else was keeping still. The wheel was used to pump water form the nearby zinc mines during the 1800s. A visit to Laxey is well worth it: the wheel is impressive, there is a glen to explore and lots of easily accessible information about the mines. The surrounding countryside sets it all off beautifully, too.
You can catch the Snaefell Mountain train here to the summit of Snaefell the islands highest peak.
The Laxey Gardens also have a little steam train for children. These gardens were where the zinc ore used to be sorted before it was shipped to the mainland.
We went down to Laxey village and had a coffee by the sea: a pretty pebbly beach with a fishing harbour, backed by green hills, which fall straight down into the sea. We watched sailing boats in the bay whilst drinking instant coffee from cardboard cups. This is not the place to go if you want cappuccino or latte. In fact, the whole island is (mercifully?) untouched by designer coffee.
Photography, Text and Graphics © Red Door VR Limited All rights reserved.
Photography completed: 26/7/06 18:05:16
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